New - with a question

Hello - I'm new on this site. It's fun to read, and lots of great playing info. I played guitar a little bit a long time ago - taught myself. I never used a pick, because I couldn't hold it. I'm taking lessons now, and really enjoying it. My teacher wants me to use a pick, so I am, I figure I should learn. Anyway, it occurs to me that I am left-handed, and have always played right handed. Now I wonder if I will ever get to be any good, since my "weak" hand can't even keep the pick in it's grasp. Also, I think my rhythm is hurting because of it. I've tried turning the guitar upside down, and I can hold a pick just fine in my left hand, -instant control - but I shudder at the thought of having to train my right hand to do everything that my left can already do. Any comments on this? thanks in advance, and nice to meet you all.
Allison

Hi Allison,
I too am left-handed. I got an acoustic a couple of years ago and never did much with it. I was too impatient to take the time to really learn how to play and got frustrated with it and it mostly just sat around, occasionally being picked up to pick out a simple tune but not much else. About a month or two ago I got the bug to really put the effort into it, and thought well since I'm left-handed maybe I should try restringing it since I was going to be changing strings anyway, before I get too deep into lessons again. Big mistake! It wasn't that tab or examples or anything was "backwards", but that the whole guitar felt completely awkward to hold. I also found that my right hand just simply was too uncoordinated to fret with. So after about a week, I restrung it again, right-handed.

About a month ago I decided to get an electric-- right handed of course, and have been really getting into it. At first I was still uncoordinated as can be, but it's getting better quickly. I almost want to say we actually have an advantage on all the righty's by having our "smart" hand working the frets. My advice is to just stick with it and keep practicing, and one day your hands will have just stored enough muscle memory that it just starts working for you. There are also exercises you can do to strengthen and smarten your hand, and of course there are finger/hand exercizers made specifically to strengthen your hands and wrists. I got some cheapo regular workout grip exercisers, but have also seen some specifically for guitarists that have a design where you can work your whole hand or individual fingers for under $15.

Good luck!

Dan

Thanks - it's good to hear from another lefty with this "problem". Muscle memory is a good thing to focus on. I guess I should aim for slow and accurate, rather than going for speed with my picking hand. I have always been very impatient!
Allison

That's pretty impressive that you tried to learn guitar with your non-dominant hand... I'm right handed but I can't imagine learning how to play with my left hand. Sometimes when people find out that I play guitar they want me to play something for them... and I don't feel like it... so I play left handed to make it seem like I can't play at all. It amuses me. But anyway... I suggest simply learning with your naturally dominant hand. Everything will be that much easier. It shouldn't take long at all for you to catch up to where you are with your other hand. Good luck with it!

I have an old classical guitar that I could restring... I have thought about it - perhaps I'll keep doing the right-handed thing, but add a little practice on the left, too. It's too hard playing upside-down and backwards. Restringing left would be much easier. I own 3 guitars, all right-handed. An OLD classical, a new acoustic, and an old Fender Bullet. Thanks for the input.
Allison

I say you should stick with the right handed approach. this is mainly because you will later have problems buying and finding Left handed guitars...not all models are available as lefties and if theyt are, you can be sure to add a tidy sum onto the price.

Well, I restrung my classical, I've been playing around with it today, and like I thought, the picking is much easier. Chords are slow to get to, but the only one I have a hard time with is the G using the pinkie. Ha!~!! I may just stick with this. Things would probably be easier still on a regular acoustic. Thanks to all who responded. :D

[font=trebuchet ms]Send a private message to PonyOne through this board. He's a lefty who plays both ways.[/font]

Hi Allison, have you thought of re -stringing the bullet and playing it upside down.
You'll have to re- set up the bridge ( a reputable shop will adjust your string lengths for a small fee)
And if its got a cut away youll have trouble reaching the very high notes - but you'll have heaps of fun as electrics are so much more versatile - in the meantime you might be able save for a good left handed elecric.
Go for it.....
Gray

Hi, just a few lines to explain that if you turn a fixed bridge acoustic upside down and reverse the strings( to play left handed ) the angle of the bridge is completely WRONG !!! and the string lengths are wrong.
Hope that helps.
Gray

I love my Bullet. A boyfriend bought it for me for a b-day present back in 1984 - yikes. Is that 21 years ago? It seems smaller than some guitars out there, and it's easy to play. I'd consider having it modified, but it does have lots of sentimental value just the way it is. I've actually thought of getting a lefty Daisy Rock! I know they are girl guitars, so they lose cool-factor, but they seem pretty nice, and smaller. The Stardust Elite Special or the Candy Rock Special appeal to me. They both have mahagony body and neck, and pickups by Duncan(?) which I have heard of. Not too expensive, and I would get to get another guitar!! I feel dorky now. I have been staying with left playing since I wrote last - it feels as good as right... just slower. Oh well, just upping the challenge factor
Allison

www.daisyrock.com


What do you think of these guitars? Total crap? Or a good low-budget deal? I also want to buy a short-scale guitar for my 8 yr. old daughter, so I'd probably get her one of those. There are a couple discontinued Mojo Jojo guitars at Cartoon Netword!

The adjustment to your ' Bullet ' is an hours work for someone handy with an Electronic Tuner.
I didn't recognise any of the guitars you mentioned, but then I am in a quiet corner of the British Isles.
Amongst others I have a Fender squier strat, I've had it for a couple of years and I cannot fault it.
It was Terrific value for money.
Obviously a left handed version would be more.
Second hand electrics can be troublesome. ? ?